171 Here I Am

I look back up to see that her dark hair was suddenly turning grey! Panicking, I try to release her hand but she has a surprisingly strong grip! She shakes her head and says "No, it's my time to go and I'm ready. I've waited for this day for ages. Thank you, Eris Hallows. Everything you will need and need to know will be passed onto you."

Even though my hand continues to heat up, it doesn't become painful. I look at her with mixed emotions and struggle to find the appropriate thing to say. When I fail to find the right thing to say, I pull her to me and embrace her in a one-armed hug while our other hands remained locked into the handshake.

She seems surprised at first but then she relaxes into me and whispers "I knew it had to be you... Only you..." Her body continues to weaken and shrivel up before turning into dust and falling away. I look at my dusty hands with a strange emotion but when I see the red rose on my palm, I know it's done.